Reviews by paul perry

Milk & Honey (Bar / Members' Club)
18 March 2005

Superb classic cocktails, good service and a relaxed environment. And great music - nice to enjoy a drink listening to jazz & swing as opposed to the generic muzak which so many other Soho bars play.

It helps to be a member but if you call in advance for an early evening booking you can often get a table. Only downside is that service can slow down when it gets really busy, which is understandable.

Benares (Restaurant)
13 March 2005

I've eaten at several of the Indian restaurants listed here and tried Benares for the first time this weekend. I must say I found it hard to fault - gorgeous design, excellent (though rather formal) service and stunning food. Every dish served was well balanced, used quality ingredients and was inventive and delicious. The starters in particular were just amazing. Don't mean to sound unnecessarily gushing, but it was one of the best meals I've had in London and definitely the best Indian meal.

Roka (Restaurant / Restaurant)
13 March 2005

Really enjoyed the food here - fresh ingredients prepared in front of you (we were sat around the grill) and unlike the comments below, the service was friendly and efficient, even though it was on a busy Friday night.

However, we didn't get into the bar. In fairness they said when we arrived that we'd be able to get in to the bar if it wasn't full, but by the time we finished our meal and wine it was packed downstairs. Can't really blame them for that and I'm still giving them 5 out of 5 for the delicious food.

Courthouse Hotel (Hotel)
13 March 2005

Very nicely designed and not as OTT as some of Kempinski's hotels. Lots of little touches like the heavy wooden doors opening automatically as you approach them. Room and bar were great and the 'Carnaby' restaurant was also pretty good.

The friendly staff and proximity to Carnaby Street, Soho and Mayfair made it a great hotel for a weekend break - highly recommended.

Carnevale (Restaurant)
13 December 2004

Great organic food both for take away snacks or drinks at lunchtime and evening meals too. I've enjoyed many meals here despite not being a vegetarian - as a carnivore it's one of the few veggie restaurants I'm more than happy to eat at.

Busaba Eathai (Restaurant)
29 November 2004

Great modern Thai menu and efficient service. Really packed at weekends and often busy at lunch, but it's quite pleasant sharing your table with other groups, so it doesn't bother me. They have a second restaurant off Tottenham Court Road too.

Sanderson (Hotel)
11 March 2004

When this hotel opened it completely changed my expectations of stylish hotels. The exterior is rather plain (although I believe it's listed), but the lobby with it's huge plasma screen built into the reception desk and Dali Kiss sofa was just stunning.

Several years later it's obviously not quite as excitingly new and Schrager hotels (and the whole concept of designer boutique hotels) seem to have colonised every major city. But it's still a great hotel, the rooms are elegant and comfortable, and the Purple Bar is still my favourite intimate bar in the city. They've also covered the courtyard, so it's much more useful given London weather!